C’est la fête! The French Australian Preschool is holding a fancy-dress fête on Saturday 30 October, 10am-2pm.

The best dressed family wins a prize! Fun, food and entertainment for all ages. Free entry.

Activities include an international food stand, trash and treasure including pre-loved books, costume and craft stall, face painting, mega raffle, Milo the Clown at 11am, the Warehouse Circus, jumping castle and lots more.

Astrolabe Street, Red Hill, ACT. For more information call 02 6295 0621.

Come help celebrate Telopea Park School’s annual fete on Saturday 6 November 2010, 2.30pm – 7pm. This year’s theme is ‘Celebrating our Multicultural Harmony’. Fun, food and entertainment for all ages. Free entry.

Canberra French Car Club Display; international cuisine, wines and beers; English and French books (new and old); vintage and pre-loved clothes, plants and herbs, face painting and tattoos, show bags, monster raffle (win a trip to France!), live music and entertainment, carnival rides, Constable Kenny Koala, Brumby Jack and heaps more.

NSW Crescent, Barton ACT. For more information call 0431 944 043.

This magical three-day retreat will show you that your angels are always ready to help you with anything, from finding your soulmate to sorting your career and finances as well as other important life issues.

You will discover that the angels will indeed assist you in every area of your life so that you can experience the greater love, guidance and protection of the magnificent angelic realm.

Doreen teaches from her popular series of 14 card decks and for the first time in Australia she will show you how to give powerful healing readings using her brand new Archangel Raphael Healing Oracle cards.

Bring Your Dancing Shoes!
Doreen Virtue’s Obsidian will perform live on Saturday night. The concert will showcase both popular and original music performed by Doreen with Mark and Tatiana Watson.

For information and to book go to www.hayhouse.com.au or phone +61 (2) 9669 4299. Hurry, tickets selling fast!

Three top Madman DVD titles By Rama Gaind COCO & IGOR (Madman Entertainment) A complicated love affair on a lush canvas, this is one film where the eye-catching locations, beautiful outfits and lovely music offer some visually stunning effects. The intense love affair between the two creative giants of Coco Chanel and the wealthy Arthur ‘Boy’ Capel leaves you feeling bereft – for some time. It’s the see-saw between what could-be and what-is. Reality is a wake-up call. Coco is mesmerised when she attends the premiere of Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées She meets Stravinsky again after the death of Boy Capel. Their attraction is instant. And she offers him the use of her new village in Garches, so that he will be able to work and he moves in straight away with his children and consumptive wife. What follows will leave you tingling. THE NORTH FACE (Madman Entertainment) Heartening to realise that this is a true story and how you win against the odds. Friendship, love and survival are tested to the limit in the summer of 1936 as two avid climbers, Andi and Toni, set out to become the first to conquer The Eiger’s treacherous north face, which is rightly called the ‘Murder Wall’. The couple’s daring ascent becomes a race against time as their endurance is threatened by injury and the critical forces of nature. FIVE MINUTES OF HEAVEN (Madman Entertainment) Revenge and reconciliation take centre stage in this taut thriller expertly directed by Oliver Hirschbeigel. The film features a powerful cast of Liam Neeson (‘Michael Collins’), James Nesbitt (‘Jekyll’) and Anamaria Marinca (‘4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days’). Lurgan, Northern Ireland, 1975 and protestant Alastair Little, 17, yearns to be a man so he can take part in the struggle against the Catholics. He murders local lad Jim Griffin in front of his younger brother Joe. Thirty years later, Alastair and Joe come face-to-face on live television, but it’s not easy moving on from the violence of the past.

Geoscience Australia Open Day 2010
Sunday 17 October 10am – 4pm

Hear about Geoscience Australia’s research in a series of Science Talks throughout the day

– Australia’s energy future – from fossil fuels to renewables
– Geothermal energy in Australia – The what, how, why, where and when
– Hazard modelling to keep your feet dry
– Winner’s Bore – hard won outback water
– How geology shaped the Australian people

See the winning films from the Geologi short film competition

Kids’ activities all day long

– Gold panning
– Make your own map
– Rock identification
– GPS treasure hunt
– Planet Earth in 3D
– Water tasting

Explore science displays throughout the building and chat to some of Geoscience Australia’s staff
Take a tour through geological time
Visit the SHRIMP and the Australian Tsunami Warning System

AMF Bowling Belconnen and Tuggeranong will host ‘Strike Against Stroke’, an exciting fundraising bowling event to raise funds for stroke patients at Canberra Hospital, as part of Stroke Awareness Week, 13-18 September.

Kicking off at noon on Friday 17 September, both AMF Bowling centres will remain open for a 24-hour period, with a number of high profile bowlers enlisted to help raise money in the fight against stroke.

Jordan Rogers, CEO, AMF Bowling, says he is excited to be supporting a cause so significant and close-to-home for so many individuals.

“Keeping these centres open for 24 hours is a first for AMF bowling and we are looking forward to seeing a big turn-out for this great event,” said Mr Rogers.

A number of celebrities and sport stars will be lending their support to the cause, including Brumbies players Colby Faingaa and Nic White, and former basketball legend Herb McEachin. See a full list of the celebrity participants at: http://www.ourwellnessfoundation.org.au/strike-against-stroke-contestant-profiles.html

“Stroke is the second leading killer in Australia, after coronary heart disease. This year alone there will be 60,000 strokes in Australia, essentially one every 10 minutes. It kills more women than breast cancer and is the leading cause of disability. Financially stroke is estimated to cost the Australian economy approximately 2.14 billion a year,” said Dawn Nusa, Stroke Liaison Nurse at Canberra Hospital.

“Strike Against Stroke is an opportunity to raise much needed funds and public awareness about this devastating condition. Stroke information tables will be manned at both Belconnen and Tuggeranong AMF sites.

“It is critical that we get the word out that many strokes are preventable through life style changes like not smoking, reducing our salt intake, keeping our blood pressure in check, not drinking too much,” she said.

Businesses, government departments and other groups are also encouraged to enter a team during the event.

“As well as supporting a cause, the event will be a fun time to get your competitive juices flowing and to challenge your co-workers,” said Mr Rogers.

“With the help of a lot of coffee, Strike Against Stroke will be a fun and engaging way to encourage community involvement to raise funds for Canberra Hospital,” he said.

Supporters of the contestants will be encouraged to visit and sponsor their chosen bowler during the 24 hours, with all funds raised going to the Stroke Unit and the Rehabilitation Ward at the Canberra Hospital.

The event is also an important tool for educating the public about what to do if you think someone is having a stroke.

“We need to let people know that stroke outcomes can greatly improve if we urgently seek medical attention when symptoms first appear,” said Ms Nusa.

Registration is now open. Friends and family are welcome to come along and support the contestants. For more information, contact the Fundraising Office at the Canberra Hospital for information on how you can support Strike Against Stroke.

To sponsor your favourite celebrity bowler for this event, jump online at: http://www.ourwellnessfoundation.org.au/

Comfort and Peace orientated Counselling Service.

Personal Development and Happiness Planning, and Mindfulness Counseling.

For people who are unable to leave their home, a home service is available.

Prices Based on Individual Income (typically $1 per $1000 of annual income.).

Service Area – Canberra/Queanbeyan.

Escape ARTfest 2010 has broken all records – with 44 venues, 80 events and almost 100 business sponsors, it just goes to show how a community can thrive through it’s creative culture.

Ensure you mark the festival dates (1st – 10th October) on your calendar. There’s too many events to list here so grab a program from around the Milton Ulladulla District, or visit the Escape ARTfest website for all of the event info. And keep taking those vitamins – you’re going to need them!

10 days of artistic bliss in the M.U.D.

www.escapeartfest.info

COZMO in Concert – BACH to the FUTURE!

Enjoy a Saturday afternoon musical treat! A delightful concert featuring the beautiful works of popular Baroque

composers Bach, Vivaldi, Corelli and Handel. Bach to the Future also includes works by Australian composers Robert

Kay and Robert Schulz and popular melodies from the European “zupforchester” repertoire.

COZMO (Capital of Australia Mandolinata) ~ A Canberra-based ensemble of mandolins, mandola, domra, bass and guitars

2.00pm Saturday 9 October 2010
Wesley Music Centre
20 National Circuit, Forrest ACT

Bookings: Ph 0421 043 082
or Tickets at Door: $20 Adult & $15 Concession
Refreshments available at Intermission

From October 2nd to 10th, the 12th Australian Transplant Games will be held in Canberra celebrating organ and tissue donation. The Games are held every two years and provide living proof of the success of transplantation and encourage all Australians to discuss organ and tissue donation with their families.

They are open to transplant recipients, donor families, living donors, people on dialysis or awaiting a transplant and supporters.
The Organ and Tissue Authority is a major sponsor of the Australian Transplant Games. The ACT Government under the ACT Health Promotion Grants Program is the major supporter of the Australian Transplant Games.

Transplant Australia is a national community organisation promoting organ and tissue donation and caring for all those touched by transplantation. Its vision is for Australia to lead the world in organ and tissue donation and transplantation – saving lives, improving quality of life and providing much needed care and support. Our objectives are to increase the rate of donation, improve the community’s understanding of transplantation and to provide members with support, education and guidance to improve their health and quality of life.

The Games demonstrate world-wide the ‘living proof’ that transplantation saves lives. What’s more it allows them a quality of life they might not have experienced for years. They can start a family, play sport, and get back into the workforce – all because of the generosity of someone else.

Entries for the Games are still open and we encourage anyone touched by transplantation to take part either as competitor, volunteer or spectator. To find out how you can be involved in the Games, visit www.australiantransplantgames.com or call 1800 827 757.

‘The Fifth Element'(Madman Entertainment)
By Rama Gaind

The creativity of director Luc Besson knows no bounds with ‘The Fifth Element’. His futuristic perceptions have a remarkable rich imagery that hooks you from the first frame.
What’s even more amazing is that the film (out on DVD), which was set mostly in the 23rd century, was released in 1997.
The plot essentially involves the survival of humanity and that becomes the duty of taxi driver and former special forces major Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) for whom life has been pretty repetitive of late.
Korben is the pivotal figure in saving the Earth when a beautiful alien, Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) falls through the roof of his cab. As the elusive fifth element, Korben and Leeloo control the key to humanity’s survival as the battle rages of good over evil.
An extra-terrestrial Evil has teamed up with Zorg (Gary Oldman) and is threatening to destroy the Earth and four mystical stones aer the key to defending Earth from destruction.
The race against time is on in earnest.
Also starring Ian Holm and Chris Tucker, The Fifth Element is one ride which may not be smooth, but it will definitely be delightful.
The two-DVD set has numerous special features that are sure to appeal.
This science fiction thriller will make a great Father’s Day gift!

Engrossing documentaries from Madman Entertainment
By Rama Gaind

‘Of Time and the City’ (Madman Entertainment)
This film by Terrence Davies has a strong personal stamp coupled with a passion that a certain distance.
Davies takes a trip back to his childhood and the city of Liverpool and, thereby, unfolds an engrossing autobiography.
A joyful remembrance of Davies’ childhood home and a eulogy of what is now lost, this documentary comprises mostly of archival footage and photographs set to contemporary and classical music.
It’s a visual poem: a hymn to former glories, a critique of past indulgences and a dreamlike reminder of how you can never return to the perfection of your memories.
Special DVD feature includes an interview with director Davies.
‘Chevolution’ (Madman Entertainment)
A fascinating biography of an image that shows how an artist’s work can take on a life of its own.
It’s the image that launched a thousand T-shirts.
In 1960, Cuban photographer Alberto ‘Korda’ Díaz captured a photo of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara during a mass funeral. History conspired to enable this dynamic portrait to explode on the world scene in 1968 in Europe and Latin America, when it became an international symbol of protest and dissent. It is being constantly reinvented and transformed.
With the Internet in the last decade, the image has once again travelled the globe in many forms from protest to commerce.
Find out why and how this photograph became so important.
‘Chris & Don – A Love Story’ (Madman Entertainment)
This is a true-life story, a joyful celebration of an extraordinary couple.
It tells of the passionate three-decade relationship between British writer Christopher Isherwood (whose ‘Berlin Stories’ was the basis for all incarnations of the much-beloved ‘Cabaret’) and American portrait painter Don Bachardy, 30 years his junior.
From Isherwood’s Kit-Kat-Club years in Weimar-era Germany (the inspiration for his most famous work) to the couple’s first meeting on the sun-kissed beaches of 1950s Malibu, their against-all-odds saga is brought to dazzling life by a treasure trove of multimedia.

Three movies to enjoy
By Rama Gaind

There’s a good crop of films worth viewing at present. These are just three of them:

SALT: Australian director Phillip Noyce sets a cracking pace in this fast-moving thriller which sees Angelina Jolie, as CIA officer Evelyn Salt, accused of being a Russian agent.
She goes on the run to prove her innocence – and along the way performs some adroit stunts.
THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP: Michael Sheen’s likeness to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is uncanny. He plays the role with ease which is not surprising since he’s done it before in ‘The Deal’ and ‘The Queen’. You are sure to remember him from 2008’s ‘Frost/Nixon’.
It’s plausible to see him in this role; now as the globetrotting envoy to the Middle East and his mutual admiration duo with former US President Bill Clinton.
Dennis Quaid’s impersonation of Clinton is astonishing – complete with an authentic voice – but the personality lacks vitality.
However, there’s an emotional genuineness between the couples. Tony and Cherie (Helen McCrory) and Bill and Hillary (Hope Davis).
This international power play from director Richard Loncraine has some appeal, but does not succeed as drama.
THE GHOST WRITER: Sucked into a web of political intrigue, Ewan McGregor plays a writer who is hired to ghost write the memoirs of former British Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan).
This Roman Polanski thriller is well-crafted and delivered at a steady space.